Support Device Adjustable by an Electric Motor

ABSTRACT

Support device, adjustable by an electric motor, for padding of seating, or reclining furniture, in particular a mattress of a bed, has a base body which includes support parts on which the padding is supported during use. The support parts include one stationary first support part, a pivot axis, and a second support part pivotably adjustable relative to first support part about the pivot axis. Support device has a drive apparatus for adjusting second support part relative to first support part. Second support part is configured so pivot axis is supported so as to be translationally movable in the longitudinal direction of the support device. Second support part is in drive connection with drive apparatus so that during pivoting adjustment, second support part undergoes translational movement away from first support part. During translational movement, second support part runs up against a first raising element, and thus pivots.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of German Application No. 10 2015106 991.1, filed May 5, 2015, and this application claims the priorityof German Application No. 10 2014 115 075.9, filed Oct. 16, 2014, andthis application claims the priority of European Application No. 15 002289.5, filed Aug. 1, 2015, and each of which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a support device, adjustable by an electricmotor, for padding of seating and/or reclining furniture, in particulara mattress of a bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For adjusting slatted frames, for example, so-called double drives areknown which have a housing, designed as a separate component which isconnectable to the slatted frame, and in which two adjustment units areaccommodated, one of which is used, for example, for adjusting a backsupport part, and the other, for adjusting a leg support part of theslatted frame. In the known double drives, the adjustment units aredesigned as a spindle drive, the drive coupling taking place at asupport part, which is to be adjusted, via a coupling lever which isconnected in a rotationally fixed manner to a pivot shaft which isassociated with the support part to be adjusted. For adjusting thesupport part, the spindle nut of the spindle drive presses against thecoupling lever, so that the pivot shaft, and thus the support part,swivels. Double drives of this type are known from EP 0372032 A1 and DE3842078 A1, for example.

A furniture drive designed as a double drive is known from both DE10017989 C2 and DE 10017979 C2, in which each adjustment unit has anelectromotively driven winding device for a traction means, in the formof a cable, belt, or chain, which is connected in the manner of a pulleyblock to a pivot lever which is connected in a rotationally fixed mannerto a pivot shaft, which in turn is in operative connection with asupport part to be adjusted.

Furniture drives which operate according to a similar principle are alsoknown from DE 3409223 C2, DE 19843259 C1, and EP 1020171 A1.

Furthermore, double drives which operate according to differentprinciples are known from DE 197292812 A1, DE 29811566 U1, and DE29714746 U1.

An adjustable slatted frame is known from DE 3900384 in which theadjustment of a head support part or leg support part of the slattedframe takes place by means of a pneumatic cylinder.

A gas spring adjustment fitting for slatted frames is known from DE29602947 U1, in which a pull cable is provided for actuating the gasspring.

A slatted frame is known from DE 3103922 A1 in which the adjustment ofan upper body support part, for example, takes place via a windshieldwiper motor and a scissor lift.

A double drive is known from EP 1294255 B1 in which the transmission offorce from a linear movable drive element to a pivot lever, which is inoperative connection with a pivot shaft that is in operative connectionwith a support part to be adjusted, takes place via a pulley block.Similar furniture drives are also known from FR 2727296, DE 3409223 C2,DE 19843259 C1, GB 2334435, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,948.

In addition, slatted frames are known in which the adjustment apparatusfor adjusting a support part is partially or completely integrated intoa base body of the slatted frame. In this sense, DE 19962541 C2(corresponding to EP 1239755 B1, JP 2001-546280, and U.S. Pat. No.6,754,922) discloses and describes a support device, adjustable by anelectric motor, having a first support part which has mutually parallellongitudinal beams, and which in the support apparatus known from thecited publication is formed by a stationary center support part. Theknown support apparatus also has further support parts, which areadjustable relative to the first support part by a drive means. In thesupport apparatus known from the cited publication, a first longitudinalbeam of the first support part for accommodating the drive means isdesigned as a hollow profile, wherein the entire drive, including adrive motor, is accommodated in the hollow longitudinal beam. For thisreason, the drive motor does not protrude beyond the first longitudinalbeam in the vertical direction thereof, so that the support apparatusknown from the cited publication has an extremely small installationheight. A similar support apparatus is also known from DE 10046751(corresponding to EP 1239754 B1, JP 2001-547994, and U.S. Pat. No.6,961,971).

A motor-adjustable support apparatus for a mattress of a bed is knownfrom WO 96/29970, having multiple support parts, following one anotherin the longitudinal direction of the support apparatus, which arepivotable relative to a first support part via a drive means. Thesupport parts are supported on an outer frame whose profile height issignificantly greater than the profile height of the support parts. Inthe support apparatus known from the cited publication, portions of theouter frame are designed as a hollow profile, and portions of the drivemeans for adjusting the support parts relative to one another areaccommodated in the hollow profile. The drive motor is situated on aninner side of a portion of the outer frame.

A motor-adjustable support apparatus for a mattress of a bed is knownfrom DE 69507158 T2 (corresponding to EP 0788325 B1), having a firstsupport part which has a longitudinal beam, and at least one secondsupport part which is pivotable relative to the first support part via adrive means. In the known support apparatus, the drive motor is situatedoutside the base area of the support apparatus and is fastened to aframe-like extension of the first support part.

A slatted frame is known from EP 1633219 B1, in which portions of theadjustment apparatus are accommodated in a hollow longitudinal beam,while the drive motor is situated outside the longitudinal beam, andthrough a recess is in drive connection with the portions of theadjustment apparatus accommodated in the longitudinal beam.

A furniture drive which is provided for adjusting a drawer relative to abody of a cabinet is known from WO 2008/113401, in which the adjustmentof the drawer takes place via a flexible toothed rack which is inengagement with a gearwheel.

A slatted frame having an integrated adjustment apparatus is known fromDE 10 2008 028586 A1, in which the transmission of force from drivemotors of the adjustment apparatus to the support parts to be adjustedtakes place via pull cables which are guided over deflection points.

The known support devices, having support parts which are pivotablyadjustable relative to one another, in principle have a high level ofcomfort for the user. However, it is disadvantageous that during apivoting adjustment of, for example, an upper body support part relativeto a stationary center support part, the mattress is compressed, thecompression being greater the more the upper body support part isadjusted relative to the center support part. As a result of compressionof the mattress, the free end of the mattress resting on the upper bodysupport part is displaced with increasing adjustment relative to thefree end of the upper body support part.

To avoid this disadvantage, it is known from DE 20 2015 100 471 U1 totranslationally move the upper body support part simultaneously with thepivoting adjustment. A support device, adjustable by an electric motor,of the type in question for padding of seating and/or recliningfurniture, in particular a mattress of a bed, is known from the citedpublication, having a base body which includes support parts on whichthe padding is supported during use of the support device, the supportparts having at least one stationary first support part and a secondsupport part which is pivotably adjustable relative to the first supportpart about a pivot axis. A drive apparatus is provided for adjusting thesecond support part relative to the first support part.

The second support part is designed and configured in such a way thatthe pivot axis is supported so as to be translationally displaceable inthe longitudinal direction of the support device, the second supportpart being in drive connection with the drive apparatus in such a waythat during the pivoting adjustment, the second support part, at leastin phases, simultaneously undergoes a translational movement away fromthe first support part.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a support device adjustable byan electric motor having a simplified design.

Those and other objects are achieved by the invention set forth herein.

The invention provides that during an adjustment from an unadjustedstarting position, in which the support parts span an essentiallyhorizontal support plane, the second support part undergoes a pivotingmovement as well as a translational movement in the direction of amaximally adjusted end position of the adjustment movement in which thesupport parts are pivoted relative to one another, in order to avoidcompression of the mattress. The invention provides that during thetranslational movement, the second support part or a component connectedthereto runs up against a first raising element which is stationaryrelative to the first support part, and thereby pivots. Adjustmentmechanics having a particularly simple design are provided in this way.

A further advantage of the invention is that the support device isparticularly robust due to the fact that the adjustment mechanicsrequire only relatively few components.

The support device according to the invention may be used in any givenfurniture item in which support parts are pivotably adjustable relativeto one another. In particular, the support device according to theinvention is suited for a design as a slatted frame or as a supportdevice for a box spring mattress.

The adjustment of the first support part relative to the first supportpart may take place corresponding to any given suitable kinematics. Itis possible, for example, that during the adjustment in differentkinematic phases, the second support part in each case undergoes eithera pivoting movement or a translational movement. In this regard, oneadvantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that thesecond support part is in drive connection with the drive apparatus insuch a way that during the overall adjustment movement between anunadjusted starting position, in which the second support part togetherwith the first support part spans a horizontal or approximatelyhorizontal support plane, and an end position of the adjustmentmovement, the second support part simultaneously undergoes both apivoting movement and a translational movement. Compression of themattress is thus avoided, not only in the end position of the adjustmentmovement, but also in adjustment positions between the starting positionand the end position.

To achieve both a translational movement and a pivoting movement in asimple manner with a small number of components, another advantageousfurther embodiment of the invention provides a slide on which the pivotaxis is supported and which is translationally movable by the driveapparatus.

The drive apparatus of the support device according to the invention mayhave any given design. For example and in particular, the driveapparatus may have at least one Bowden cable drive. The construction andmode of operation of such a Bowden cable drive are known from EP 2 792277 A1, the entire disclosed content of which is hereby incorporated byreference into the present application.

With regard to the drive apparatus, one advantageous further embodimentof the invention provides that the drive apparatus has a linear drivefor translationally moving the second support part. The linear drive,for example and in particular, may be designed as a spindle drive,wherein the output member of the spindle drive, for example and inparticular, may be formed by a spindle nut which is situated on athreaded spindle in a rotationally fixed manner and movable in the axialdirection, and which is in rotary drive connection with an electricmotor. The spindle nut, for example and in particular, may form theslide on which the pivot axis is supported. However, in a kinematicreversal of the above-described embodiment, the output member of thespindle drive may also be formed by a threaded spindle which issupported in a rotationally fixed manner and movable in the axialdirection, and on which a stationary spindle nut, which is rotationallydrivable by an electric motor, is situated.

One advantageous further embodiment of the embodiment having the slideprovides that the slide is translationally movably supported on alongitudinal guide.

Another advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides thatthe first raising element is situated laterally next to a translationalmovement path of the second support part, and that a second raisingelement is connected to the second support part, the first raisingelement being situated in the movement path of the second raisingelement in such a way that during the translational movement of thesecond support part, the second raising element cooperates with thefirst raising element in order to pivot the second support part. Thisensures that the second support part in the unadjusted starting positionmay be situated horizontally or approximately horizontally in order tospan a horizontal or essentially horizontal support plane together withthe first support part, but at the same time, to be able to easilyovercome a dead center at the beginning of the adjustment movement whenthe second support part pivots, in that the second raising element whichis connected to the second support part runs up against the firstraising element.

One extremely advantageous further embodiment of the invention providesthat the raising element effects pivoting of the second support partaccording to the principle of operation of an inclined plane or a cammechanism.

One advantageous further embodiment of the embodiment having the cammechanism provides that at least one raising element at its outerperiphery is designed as a cam body in such a way that the first raisingelement and the second raising element cooperate with one another in themanner of a cam mechanism.

One advantageous further embodiment of the above-mentioned embodimentprovides that cooperating run-up surfaces of the first raising elementand of the second raising element have, at least in sections, acomplementary or approximately complementary design with respect to oneanother.

Another advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides thatthe first raising element and/or the second raising element is/aredesigned and configured, in other words, configured and located, in sucha way that the lever arm which acts to pivot the second support partlengthens from an unadjusted starting position toward an end position ofthe adjustment movement of the second support part.

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to theappended drawings, which illustrate embodiments of a support deviceaccording to the invention. All features which are described in thedescription, illustrated in the drawings, and claimed in the patentclaims, alone or in any arbitrary suitable combination with one another,constitute the subject matter of the invention, regardless of theirrecapitulation in the patent claims, and regardless of their descriptionor illustration in the drawings. Subcombinations of Claim 1 in which oneor more features of Claim 1 are omitted or replaced by other featuresare also included in the disclosed content of the present application.

Relative terms such as left, right, up, and down are for convenienceonly and are not intended to be limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show the following:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a supportdevice according to the invention in the form of a slatted frame, in anunadjusted starting position;

FIG. 2 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 1, the embodiment according toFIG. 1 in an end position of the adjustment movement of an upper bodysupport part and a leg support part;

FIG. 3 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 1, the embodiment according toFIG. 1 with some components omitted for purposes of manner;

FIG. 4 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 2, details of a drive apparatusof the support device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 4, details of the driveapparatus from a different perspective;

FIG. 6 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 5, a detail from FIG. 5, but inenlarged scale;

FIG. 7 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 5, the drive apparatus fromFIG. 5, with further components of the support device omitted to clarifythe adjustment of the head support part relative to the upper bodysupport part;

FIG. 8 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 7 but from a differentperspective, the support device according to FIG. 2, with even furthercomponents of the support device omitted;

FIG. 9 shows a detail from FIG. 8 from a different perspective and inenlarged scale;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a supportdevice according to the invention in the starting position of theadjustment movement, in which the support parts span a horizontalsupport plane;

FIG. 11 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 10, the support deviceaccording to FIG. 10, with the support parts in an adjustment positionwhich is between the starting position and the end position of theadjustment movement;

FIG. 12 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 10, the support deviceaccording to FIG. 10, with the support parts in the end position of theadjustment movement;

FIG. 13 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 10, the support deviceaccording to FIG. 10, with components of the support device omitted toclarify the construction of the drive apparatus;

FIG. 14A shows, in the same manner as FIG. 13, but in a slightly alteredperspective, the support device according to FIG. 10;

FIG. 14B shows, in the same manner as FIG. 13, the support deviceaccording to FIG. 10 in the end position of the adjustment movement;

FIG. 15 shows, in a perspective view, a third embodiment of a supportdevice according to the invention in a first adjustment position,

FIG. 16 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 15, the support deviceaccording to FIG. 15 in a second adjustment position which correspondsto a maximum adjustment position;

FIG. 17 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 15 but in enlarged scale, adetail from FIG. 15, with further components of the support deviceomitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 18 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 17, a detail from FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 18, the detail from FIG. 18 inan adjustment position which corresponds to the adjustment position ofthe support device illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of a component of a fourth embodimentof a support device according to the invention in a starting position ofthe adjustment movement;

FIG. 21 shows, in a similar manner, the embodiment according to FIG. 20,with a profile rail omitted for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 22 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 21, the embodiment accordingto FIG. 22 in a first adjustment position;

FIG. 23 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 22, the embodiment accordingto FIG. 21 in a second adjustment position which corresponds to an endposition of the adjustment movement;

FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a supportdevice according to the invention in a starting position of theadjustment movement;

FIG. 25 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 24, the support deviceaccording to FIG. 25 in a first adjustment position;

FIG. 26 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 24, the support deviceaccording to FIG. 24 in a second adjustment position which correspondsto an end position of the adjustment movement;

FIG. 27 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 24, the support deviceaccording to FIG. 24, with components of the support device omitted forpurposes of illustration;

FIG. 28 shows, in the same manner as FIG. 27, the support deviceaccording to FIG. 24 in the end position of the adjustment movement;

FIG. 29 shows a detail from FIG. 28, with further components of thesupport device omitted; and

FIG. 30 shows a detail from FIG. 29, with further components of thesupport device omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Identical or corresponding components are provided with the samereference numerals in the figures of the drawing. The drawingsschematically depict embodiments of a support device according to theinvention. Components of the support device are omitted in individualfigures of the drawing for purposes of illustration. These componentsare to be supplemented accordingly in a conceptually analogous manner.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 9 below for explaining a firstembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a support device 2, adjustableby an electric motor, according to the invention, which in thisembodiment is designed as a slatted frame. The support device 2 has abase body 4 which includes support parts on which a mattress of a bed issupported during use of the support device 2. The mattress isconsistently omitted in the drawings for purposes of illustration.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support device 2 (see FIG. 2) has astationary center support part 6, to which an upper body support part 8is articulatedly connected and pivotably adjustable about a horizontalpivot axis, and the end of the upper body support part facing away fromthe center support part 6 is articulatedly connected to a head supportpart 10 and pivotably adjustable about a horizontal pivot axis. A legsupport part 12 is articulatedly connected to the end of the centersupport part 6 facing away from the upper body support part 8 and ispivotably adjustable about a horizontal pivot axis, and the end of theleg support part facing away from the center support part 6 isarticulatedly connected to a calf support part 14 and pivotablyadjustable about a horizontal pivot axis.

For the pivoting adjustment of the support parts 6 to 14 relative to oneanother, an electric motor drive apparatus 16 is provided which has adrive unit 18 that is situated on a first longitudinal beam 20 on thecenter support part 6. A further drive unit 18′ of the electric motordrive apparatus 16 is situated on a second longitudinal beam 22, at adistance from the first longitudinal beam 20 and transverse to thelongitudinal direction of the support device 2. The drive units 18, 18′are explained in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9.

Connected to the support parts 6 to 14 are slat holders, on whichelastic slats which support the mattress are held during use of thesupport device 2. Only one slat holder, denoted by reference numeral 24,is provided in the drawing (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The elastic slatsare not illustrated in the drawing for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 1 shows the support device 2 in an unadjusted starting position ofthe support parts 6 to 14, in which the support parts 6 to 14 togetherspan a horizontal or approximately horizontal support plane forsupporting the mattress.

FIG. 2 shows the support device 2 in an end position of the adjustmentmovement, in which the upper body support part 8 together with the headsupport part 10 and the leg support part 12 together with the calfsupport part 14 are maximally pivoted relative to the center supportpart 6, and thus adjusted. The starting position of the support device 2corresponds to a lying position of the support device 2, while the endposition illustrated in FIG. 2 corresponds to a sitting position. Anydesired adjustment positions between the starting position and the endposition are possible.

A power supply means and a control means for controlling the drive unit16 are not illustrated in the drawing for purposes of illustration.However, the construction and mode of operation of such a power supplymeans and a control means are generally known to those skilled in theart, and therefore are not explained here in greater detail.

According to the invention, the upper body support part 8 is designedand configured, in other words, configured and located, in such a waythat the pivot axis is supported so as to be translationally movable inthe longitudinal direction of the support device 2. This prevents themattress from being compressed during the pivoting adjustment of theupper body support part 8 relative to the center support part 6. A highlevel of comfort is thus ensured for a user of the support device 2,also in the adjusted position of the upper body support part 8. As isapparent from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, as a result of thetranslationally movable bearing of the pivot axis, the distance betweenthe slat holders, situated adjacently at a distance from one another inthe starting position (see FIG. 1), on the center support part 6 and onthe upper body support part 8 increases during an adjustment from thestarting position in the direction of the end position. Compression ofthe mattress is avoided in this way.

The same also applies for an adjustment of the leg support part 12relative to the center support part 6. The pivot axis associated withthe leg support part 12 is likewise supported so as to betranslationally movable in the longitudinal direction of the supportdevice 2. Accordingly, the distance between the slat holders on thecenter support part 6 and on the leg support part 12, which in thestarting position of the adjustment movement (see FIG. 1) are situatedadjacent to one another, increases during a pivoting adjustment of theleg support part 12 relative to the center support part 6. Compressionof the mattress is thus avoided, also in the area of the leg supportpart 12. Due to the mutually independent adjustment and translationalmovement of the upper body support part 8 and of the leg support part 12relative to the center support part 6, compression of the mattress isavoided in any adjustment position, and the mattress is thusuncompressed in all adjustment positions of the support device 2.

As is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2, the support device 2 has an outerframe 26, to which the base body 4 is fastened.

FIG. 3 shows the support device 2 according to FIG. 1, with slat holdersomitted on the first longitudinal beam 20 in the area of the centersupport part 6, the upper body support part 8, and the leg support part12 for purposes of illustration, so that first longitudinal beams 28,30, 32 of the center support part 6, of the upper body support part 8,and of the leg support part 12, respectively, are discernible.

The design of the support device 2 according to the invention isexplained in greater detail below with regard to the drive apparatus 16,with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

Only the drive unit 18 associated with the first longitudinal beam 20 isexplained in greater detail below. The drive unit associated with thesecond longitudinal beam 22 has a corresponding design, and therefore isnot explained here in greater detail.

The drive unit 18 has a base element 34, which in this embodiment isformed by an injection-molded part made of plastic, and on which thecomponents of the drive unit 18 are situated or supported. Situated onthe base element 34 is an electric motor 36 whose output shaft is inrotary drive connection with a threaded spindle 38 which is stationarilysupported on the base element 34 so as to be rotationally drivable. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the rotary drive connection between theoutput shaft of the electric motor 36 and the threaded spindle 38 isestablished via a worm gear. The output member of the drive unit 18 isformed by a spindle nut 40 which is situated on the threaded spindle 38in a rotationally fixed manner and is movable in the axial direction ofthe threaded spindle.

The spindle nut 40 forms a slide on which a pivot axis 42 is supported,about which the upper body support part 8 is pivotable relative to thecenter support part 6 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4).

FIG. 5 shows the drive unit 18 from the side facing away from theelectric motor 36.

FIG. 6 shows the drive unit 18 in the same illustration as FIG. 5, butin enlarged scale.

The adjustment of the upper body support part 8 (second support part)relative to the center support part 6 (first support part) is completedin such a way that the second support part or a component connectedthereto runs up against a first raising element during the translationalmovement, and thereby pivots. As explained with reference to FIG. 4, atranslational movement of the spindle nut 40, and thus of the upper bodysupport part 8, relative to the center support part 6 is effected bymeans of the spindle drive 38, 14. In the illustrated embodiment, thepivoting movement of the upper body support part 8 relative to thecenter support part 6 is effected in that a first raising element 44 issituated laterally next to the translational movement path of thespindle nut 40, and thus of the upper body support part 8, and a secondraising element 46 connected to the upper body support part 8 runs upagainst the first raising element, so that the upper body support part 8pivots relative to the center support part 6.

The first raising element 44 is formed in one piece with the firstlongitudinal beam 30 of the upper body support part 8, in theillustrated embodiment the first longitudinal beam 30 and the secondraising element 46 likewise being formed by an injection-molded partmade of plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, the second raisingelement 46 is thus connected to the upper body support part 8 so as toprevent pivoting. However, in a modification of this embodiment, thesecond raising element may also be movably connected to the upper bodysupport part 8, provided that raising of the upper body support part 8,and thus pivoting thereof relative to the center support part 6, iseffected in the desired manner.

As is apparent in particular from FIG. 6, in the illustrated embodimentthe raising elements 44, 46 have the cross-sectional shape of a cambody, the raising elements 44, 46 in the illustrated embodiment havingcross sections that are essentially complementary. As is apparent fromFIG. 6, the upper body support part 8 is horizontal in the startingposition (see FIG. 1), the dead center of the pivoting adjustment of theupper body support part 8 being overcome during the translationalmovement of the spindle nut 40, and the pivoting movement thus beingcarried out.

To avoid distortion of the upper body support part 8 during theadjustment, the translational movement of the slide 40 of the firstdrive unit 18 formed by the spindle nut 40 is transferred to atranslationally movably supported slide of the drive unit associatedwith the second longitudinal beam 22. For this purpose, asynchronization means is provided, as explained in greater detail belowwith reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. This slide, which is translationallymovably supported on the drive unit provided on the second longitudinalbeam 22, is driveless, so that the adjustment of the two longitudinalbeams of the upper body support part 8 is effected by the electric motor36, the synchronization means ensuring that distortion of the upper bodysupport part 8 does not occur.

The adjustment of the leg support part 12 takes place in a correspondingmanner. For this purpose, the first longitudinal beam 32 of the legsupport part 12 is supported on a slide 50 so as to be pivotable about apivot axis 48, the slide being translationally movably supported on thebase element 34 of the drive unit 18.

The drive unit associated with the second longitudinal beam 22 has anelectric motor which corresponds to the drive unit 18, and which drivesa slide that is formed by the spindle nut of a spindle drive, aspreviously described for the slide 40. Translational movements of thisdriven slide of the drive unit associated with the second longitudinalbeam 22 are transferred to the slide 50 by the synchronization means,described in greater detail below. The slides associated with the upperbody support part 8 are thus driven by the electric motor 36, while theslides associated with the leg support part 12 are driven by theelectric motor which is associated with the drive unit associated withthe second longitudinal beam 22. In other words, the electric motor 36effects an adjustment of the upper body support part 8 together with thehead support part 10, while the corresponding electric motor associatedwith the second longitudinal beam 22 effects an adjustment of the legsupport part together with the calf support part.

Due to the pivotable connection of the calf support part 14 to the legsupport part 12, on account of its gravitational force the calf supportpart 14 pivots relative to the leg support part 12 when the leg supportpart is pivoted. The end position of the adjustment movement (see FIG.2) is defined by a stop which acts between the leg support part 12 andthe calf support part 14.

The adjustment of the head support part 10 relative to the upper bodysupport part 8 is explained below with reference to FIG. 7.

For adjusting the head support part 10, a rod-like adjusting element 52is provided, one end of which is pivotably supported on the slide 40,coaxially with respect to the pivot axis 42. The other end of theadjusting element 52 is supported about a pivot axis 54 on a firstlongitudinal beam 56 of the head support part 10. The pivot axis 54 iseccentrically supported with respect to a pivot axis 58, about which thehead support part 10 is pivotable relative to the upper body supportpart 8. Due to the eccentric arrangement of the pivot axis 54 relativeto the pivot axis 58, the head support part 10 pivots relative to theupper body support part 8 when the upper body support part 8 pivotsrelative to the center support part 6, until the end position of theadjustment movement is reached (see FIG. 2).

The return of the support parts 8 to 14 to the starting positionrelative to the center support part 6 (see FIG. 1) takes place under theweight force of the support parts 6 to 12, optionally additionally underthe load of a person lying on the support device 2, the drive apparatusremaining switched on.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first raising element 44 isstationary relative to the center support part 6 (first support part),while the second raising element 46 is movably situated. However,depending on the particular requirements, it is also possible for bothraising elements 44, 46 to be movably situated relative to the firstsupport part.

The synchronization means according to the invention has a Bowden cable60 (see FIG. 8) which has a pull cable (core) 62 that is accommodated insheathing 64 which is flexible but resistant to compression in thepulling direction. One end 66 of the pull cable 62 is fixed to astationary base element 34. The end 68 of the sheathing facing the end66 of the pull cable 62 is immovably fixed to the slide 40, as isapparent from FIG. 9.

As explained above, a slide which corresponds to the slide 40 but whichhas a driveless design is provided on the second longitudinal beam 22.

The other end of the pull cable 62 facing away from the end 66 isimmovably fixed to this driveless slide, while the other end 69 of thesheathing facing away from the end 68 is immovably fixed to a baseelement which is associated with the second longitudinal beam 22, and onwhich the driveless slide is translationally movably supported. Theconnection of the pull cable 62 and of the end 69 of the sheathing tothis driveless slide is not shown in the drawing for purposes ofillustration.

In the starting position of the adjustment movement, the distance of thespindle nut 40 from the end 66 of the pull cable fixed to the baseelement 34 is at a minimum. During the adjustment movement, the spindlenut 40 translationally moves to the left in FIG. 8, whereby the upperbody support part 8 pivots in the manner previously described.

During the translational movement of the spindle nut 40 to the left inFIG. 8, the pull cable 62 of the Bowden cable 60 remains stationary,while the sheathing in FIG. 8 is displaced to the left. The distance ofthe end 70 of the Bowden cable 60 from the associated end of the pullcable 62 decreases due to this displacement of the sheathing. Since theend 69 is fixed to the further base element associated with the secondlongitudinal beam 22, and the pull cable is fixed to the driveless slideassociated with this base element, this slide moves synchronously withthe slide formed by the spindle nut 40. The adjustment force exerted bythe electric motor 36 is thus introduced synchronously or approximatelysynchronously into the two longitudinal beams of the upper body supportpart 8, thus avoiding distortion of the upper body support part 8 duringthe adjustment movement.

As already described above, the drive unit associated with the secondlongitudinal beam 22 likewise has a slide, in the form of a spindle nut,which is driven by an electric motor, the configuration corresponding tothe configuration described for the base element 34, the electric motor36, and the spindle drive 38, 40. A Bowden cable 70 having a pull cable72 and sheathing 74 is used as a synchronization means. Corresponding tothe configuration described for the end 66 of the Bowden cable 60, theend 76 of the Bowden cable 70 is fixed to the base element 34 associatedwith the second longitudinal beam 22, while the end 78 of the sheathing74 facing the end 76 of the pull cable 72 is fixed to this spindle nut.The end 80 of the sheathing 74 facing away from the end 78 is fixed tothe base element 34, not illustrated in FIG. 8, while the end of thepull cable 72 facing away from the end 76 is fixed to a driveless slide82 associated with the leg support part 12.

The distance between the slide 82 and the end 80 of the sheathing 74decreases during a movement of the spindle nut, associated with thesecond longitudinal beam 22, in the direction of the end position of theadjustment movement, so that the slide 82 moves to the right in FIG. 8.The adjustment force exerted by the electric motor associated with thesecond longitudinal beam 22 is thus synchronously introduced into thetwo longitudinal beams of the leg support part 12.

As already explained above, the electric motor 36 associated with thefirst longitudinal beam 20 thus effects an adjustment of the upper bodysupport part 8 together with the head support part 10 relative to thecenter support part 6, while the electric motor associated with thesecond longitudinal beam 22 effects an adjustment of the leg supportpart 12 together with the calf support part 14.

Reference is made to FIGS. 10 to 14B below.

FIG. 10 shows the second embodiment in a view corresponding to FIG. 1.The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment, firstly, inthat the support device 2 is designed for supporting a box springmattress. Since in such a box spring mattress the suspension, providedby the elastic slats in the case of a slatted frame, is integrated intothe mattress, the support parts have a plate-like design in theembodiment according to FIG. 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support device has a 4-elementdesign, and has a stationary center support part 6 to which an upperbody support part 8 on the one hand, and a leg support part 12 inaddition to a calf support part 14 on the other hand, are pivotablyadjustably connected.

FIG. 11 shows the support device 2 in an adjustment position which isbetween the starting position of the adjustment movement illustrated inFIG. 10 and an end position of the adjustment movement illustrated inFIG. 12, in which the support parts 8, 12, 14 are maximally adjustedrelative to the center support part 6.

The drive apparatus 16 of the second embodiment is explained in greaterdetail below with reference to FIGS. 13 to 14B. Various components ofthe support device 2 are omitted in FIGS. 13 to 14A for purposes ofillustration.

FIGS. 13 and 14A show the support device 2 from different perspectivesin the starting position, while FIG. 14B shows the support device 2 inthe end position of the adjustment movement.

In this embodiment, the outer frame 26 has longitudinal beams 80, 80′,each of which is formed by a C profile. The openings of the C profilesof the longitudinal beams 80, 80′ face one another. A drive unit 82 isprovided for adjusting the upper body support part 8 relative to thecenter support part 6, while a further drive unit 82′ is provided foradjusting the leg support part 12 together with the calf support part 14relative to the center support part 6. Only the drive unit 82 isexplained in greater detail below. The drive unit 82′ has acorresponding design, and its components are provided with referencenumerals that correspond to the reference numerals of the drive unit 82.

The drive unit has an electric motor 86 which is situated on astationary first crossbeam 84 and which is in rotary drive connectionwith a rotationally drivable spindle nut which is situated on a threadedspindle 88 that is movable in the axial direction and rotationallyfixed. The end of the threaded spindle 88 facing away from the electricmotor 86, and thus facing away from the spindle nut, is immovablyconnected to a slide 90 which has a second crossbeam 92, the ends ofwhich are connected to slide elements 94, 96, which are captured in theC profiles of the longitudinal beams 80, 80′, respectively, andtranslationally movably guided. Longitudinal beams 98, 95 are supportedon the crossbeam 92 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis defined bythe crossbeam.

For adjusting the upper body support part 8 relative to the centersupport part 6, the electric motor 86 drives the spindle nut in such away that the slide 90 translationally moves in the direction of thefirst crossbeam 84. Situated on the first crossbeam 84 is a firstraising element 97, which cooperates with a second raising element 99that is connected to the longitudinal beam 98 so as to prevent pivoting,in order to pivot the upper body support part 8. The basic principleaccording to which the upper body support part 8 simultaneouslyundergoes a translational movement and a pivoting movement is thereforethe same as in the first embodiment.

The same applies for the other longitudinal beam 95 of the upper bodysupport part 8.

It is apparent from FIGS. 14A and 14B that during the adjustment, thelift of the translational movement of the upper body support part 8 ishigher than in the first embodiment. This reflects the fact that ahigher lift is necessary for a box spring mattress in order to avoidcompression.

Compression of the mattress in the area of the upper body support part 8and in the area of the leg support part 12 is also avoided in the secondembodiment.

FIG. 14B shows the support device 2 in the end position of theadjustment movement.

A third embodiment of a support device according to the invention, inthe form of a slatted frame 2, is explained in greater detail below withreference to FIGS. 15 to 19.

In this embodiment, the support device 2 has a center support part 6, anupper body support part 8, a leg support part 10, and a calf supportpart 12.

In a starting position of the adjustment movement, the support parts 6,8, 10, 12 together span an essentially horizontal support plane forsupporting a mattress, not illustrated in the drawing. Elastic slats ofthe slatted frame 2 are not depicted in the drawing in order to simplifythe illustration.

The functional principle according to the invention is explained ingreater detail below with reference to an adjustment of the upper bodysupport part 8. An adjustment element, which in this embodiment isformed by a pivot lever 100 (see FIG. 16), is associated with the upperbody support part 8, which is pivotably adjustable relative to thestationary center support part 6 about a horizontal pivot axis, in orderto pivot the upper body support part. In this embodiment, the upper bodysupport part 8 is operatively connected to the pivot lever 100 in such away that during the pivoting adjustment, the upper body support part 8undergoes, at least in phases, a translational movement relative to thestationary support part 6 along a linear axis. This linear axis isdenoted by reference numeral 102 in FIG. 15. As is apparent from acomparison of FIGS. 15 and 16, during the pivoting movement the upperbody support part 8 simultaneously undergoes a translational movementalong the linear axis 102, in particular in such a way that the upperbody support part moves away from the stationary center support part 6.Since the upper body support part 8 thus undergoes a pivoting movementas well as a translational movement, compression of a mattress (notillustrated in the drawing for reasons of clarity) supported by theslatted frame 2 is avoided.

FIG. 17 shows a detail from FIG. 15 in the area of the pivot lever 100,which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a side beam 104 ofthe upper body support part 8. The slatted frame 2 has amirror-symmetrical design with respect to its longitudinal center plane.Accordingly, a pivot lever 100′ which corresponds to the pivot lever 100is likewise associated with the other longitudinal beam 104′ of theupper body support part in order to introduce adjustment forces into theupper body support part 8 symmetrically with respect to the longitudinalcenter plane. The function and construction of the pivot lever 100′correspond to those of the pivot lever 100. For this reason, theconstruction and function of only the pivot lever 100 are explained ingreater detail below.

The pivot lever 100 is guided along the linear axis 102 on a linearguide, in the illustrated embodiment this linear guide having a profilerail 106. The profile rail 106 is formed by a C profile having a slotwhose inside clearance is dimensioned in such a way that the end of thepivot lever 100 facing the longitudinal beam 104 extends through theslot, but the opposite end of the pivot lever 100 is captured in theprofile rail 106.

FIG. 18 shows a detail in the area of the pivot lever 100, with theprofile rail 106 omitted for purposes of illustration.

A raising means which is used for raising and pivoting the pivot lever100 during the translational movement is associated with the pivot lever100.

To achieve a translational movement of the pivot lever 100 in thedirection indicated by the arrow 102, the end of a pull cable of aBowden cable, not illustrated in the drawing for reasons of clarity, isfixed to the pivot lever 100. The other end of the pull cable is guidedto the drive unit 18 (see FIG. 15).

In the illustrated embodiment, the raising means is a raising lever 110,one end of which is articulatedly connected to the pivot lever 100 andpivotable about a pivot axis 112 which is eccentric and parallel withrespect to the pivot axis of the pivot lever 100. At the beginning ofthe adjustment movement, the other end of the raising lever 110 issupported on a support surface at the base of the guide formed by theprofile rail 106.

In the illustrated embodiment, the design is selected such that the pullcable of the Bowden cable pulls the pivot lever 100 against the raisinglever 110. An abutment element is associated with the raising lever inorder for the raising lever 110 to be used as an abutment for pivotingthe pivot lever 100. In this embodiment, the abutment element is formedby a bracket 114 which is subjected to pressure during the pivoting ofthe pivot lever, and whose one end is connected to the raising lever 110so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis 116, eccentrically withrespect to the pivot axis 112, and whose other end is rotatablyconnected to a stationary rotary bearing 118 during the adjustment ofthe pivot lever 110.

Beginning from a starting position of the adjustment movement, in whichthe upper body support part 8 together with the stationary centersupport part 6 and the further support parts 10, 12 span an essentiallyhorizontal support plane, the pivoting adjustment of the upper bodysupport part 8 is completed in such a way that a traction effect isexerted on the pivot lever 110 via the pull cable of the Bowden cable,so that the pivot lever 110 undergoes a translational movement in thedirection of the arrow 102, whereby it is pulled against the raisinglever 110, which rises and thereby pivots the pivot lever 100. FIG. 18shows an adjustment position in which the pivot lever 110 has movedopposite a starting position of the adjustment movement, in thedirection 102 away from the center support part 6 and also has pivotedabout its pivot axis. The pull cable of the Bowden cable associated withthe pivot lever 100 is denoted by reference numeral 109 in FIG. 18.

In the further course of the adjustment movement, the pivot lever 100translationally moves farther in the direction of the arrow 102 and isthereby further pivoted until the end position of the adjustmentmovement illustrated in FIG. 19 is reached, in which the raising lever110 is completely lifted from the support surface formed by the base ofthe profile rail 106.

Due to the translational and pivoting movement of the upper body supportpart 8 thus achieved during the adjustment, compression of a mattresswhich is supported by the slatted frame 2 is avoided, or at leastreduced.

A fourth embodiment of a support device according to the invention isexplained below with reference to FIGS. 20 to 23, with only the area ofthe pivot lever 100 depicted for purposes of illustration. The same asfor the previously described embodiment, the end of the pivot leverfacing away from the longitudinal beam 104 of the upper body supportpart 8 is captured in the profile rail 106.

FIG. 20 shows the starting position of the adjustment movement, in whichthe upper body support part 8 together with the other support partsspans a horizontal support plane. The profile rail 106 is omitted inFIGS. 21 to 23 for purposes of illustration.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 20 to 23 differs from the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 15 to 19 primarily in that the abutment element isdesigned as a cable which is subjected to tensile stress during thepivoting of the pivot lever 100. The cable 120 may be formed, forexample, by a thin wire cable. However, it may also be replaced by someother band- or chain-shaped traction means. One end of the cable 120 isfixed to the raising lever 110, eccentrically with respect to the pivotaxis 112. The other end of the cable 120 is fixed to a fastening point122 (see FIG. 22) which is stationary during the pivoting of the pivotlever.

It is apparent from FIG. 22 that the cable 120 runs through under theend of the pivot lever 100, which is supported on the base of theprofile rail, and is guided to the fastening point 122.

The adjustment of the pivot lever 100, starting from the startingposition of the adjustment movement illustrated in FIG. 21, is completedin such a way that the pivot lever 100 is pulled against the raisinglever 110 in the direction of the arrow 102 by means of the Bowdencable, which once again is omitted for reasons of clarity. In the mannerdescribed for the preceding embodiment, the pivot lever 100 herebysimultaneously undergoes a translational movement in the direction ofthe arrow 102 and also a pivoting movement which is counterclockwise inFIG. 22, until the end position of the adjustment movement illustratedin FIG. 23 is reached.

Both illustrated embodiments simulate the function of a curved hinge, inwhich the pivot axis about which the pivot lever 100 is effectivelypivoted is displaced into an area above the pivot lever 100, and thus inactuality, into the area of the mattress that is supported by theslatted frame 2.

With reference to FIGS. 24 to 30, a fifth embodiment of a support device2 according to the invention is explained below, which in itsconstruction and mode of operation largely corresponds to the embodimentaccording to FIGS. 10 to 14B. In particular, the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 24 to 30 is likewise designed for supporting a box springmattress.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 24 to 30 also corresponds to theembodiment according to FIGS. 10 to 14B, in that a spindle drive isprovided for transferring the drive force of the electric motor 86 tothe support part to be adjusted. However, compared to the embodiment inFIGS. 10 to 14B, the mode of operation of the spindle drive iskinematically reversed. Whereas in the embodiment according to FIGS. 10to 14A, the output member of the drive apparatus is formed by a threadedspindle 88 which is supported in the axial direction of the driveapparatus (see FIG. 14A), and on which a stationary spindle nut which isrotationally drivable by means of the electric motor 86 is situated, theembodiment according to FIGS. 24 to 30 has a stationarily situated andaffixed threaded spindle 130 below the support parts 6 to 14. A spindlenut 132 which is rotationally drivable by means of the electric motor 86is placed on the threaded spindle 130 (see FIG. 30). The output shaft ofthe electric motor 86 is designed as a worm gear, and is engaged with aworm gear wheel 134, to which a spur gear 136 is connected in arotationally fixed manner, this spur gear being engaged with a furtherspur gear 138 which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to thespindle nut 132. Depending on the rotational direction of the outputshaft of the electric motor 86, the spindle nut 132 is thus rotated inone rotational direction or the other, so that it moves in the axialdirection of the threaded spindle 133.

The spindle nut 132 is supported on a housing 142 by means of a ballbearing 140, the electric motor 86 being situated on the housing. Thehousing 142 is immovably connected to the crossbeam 92 (see FIG. 29).

The threaded spindle 130 is covered by a cover 144 (see FIG. 27).

Beginning at the starting position of the adjustment movementillustrated in FIG. 27, for adjusting the upper body support part 8relative to the center support part 6, the electric motor 86 drives thespindle nut 140 in such a way that it moves on the threaded spindle 130,to the left in FIG. 27. Due to the immovable connection of the housing142 to the crossbeam 92, the crossbeam 92 is moved to the left in FIG.27, so that the upper body support part is pivoted in the mannerdescribed above for the embodiment according to FIGS. 10 to 14B.

The adjustment mechanics for adjusting the leg support part 12 togetherwith the calf support part 14 relative to the center support part 6 havea corresponding design, and therefore are not explained here in greaterdetail. The associated spindle nut likewise travels on the threadedspindle 130.

Identical or corresponding components are provided with the samereference numerals in the various figures of the drawing and the variousembodiments. When components are omitted in the figures of the drawingfor reasons of illustration or depiction, the components in question areto be supplemented in each case in the other figures in an analogousmanner. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the features ofthe individual embodiments are also exchangeable among the embodiments,and the features disclosed with regard to one embodiment may also beprovided in identical or corresponding form in the other embodiments. Itis also apparent to those skilled in the art that the features disclosedfor the individual embodiments in each case further embody the inventiontaken alone, i.e., independently of the further features of theparticular embodiment.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, itis understood that it is capable of further modifications, and usesand/or adaptations of the invention and following in general theprinciple of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in theart to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to thecentral features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. Support device, adjustable by an electric motor,for padding of seating or reclining furniture, comprising: a) a basebody including support parts on which the padding is supported duringuse of the support device, the support parts including a stationaryfirst support part and a second support part pivotably adjustablerelative to the first support part about a pivot axis; b) a driveapparatus for adjusting the second support part relative to the firstsupport part; c) the second support part being configured and located insuch a way that the pivot axis is supported so as to be translationallymovable in the longitudinal direction of the support device; and d) thesecond support part being in drive connection with the drive apparatusin such a way that during the pivoting adjustment, the second supportpart, at least in phases, simultaneously undergoes a translationalmovement away from the first support part, and during the translationalmovement, the second support part or a component connected to the secondsupport part runs up against a first raising element, and therebypivots.
 2. Support device according to claim 1, wherein: a) the secondsupport part is in drive connection with the drive apparatus in such away that during the overall adjustment movement between an unadjustedstarting position, in which the second support part together with thefirst support part spans a horizontal or approximately horizontalsupport plane, and an end position of the adjustment movement, thesecond support part simultaneously undergoes both a pivoting movementand the translational movement.
 3. Support device according to claim 1,wherein: a) a slide is provided, on which the pivot axis is supported,and which is translationally movable by the drive apparatus.
 4. Supportdevice according to claim 3, wherein: a) the drive apparatus has alinear drive for translationally moving the second support part. 5.Support device according to claim 3, wherein: a) the slide istranslationally movably supported on a longitudinal guide.
 6. Supportdevice according to claim 1, wherein: a) the first raising element issituated laterally next to a translational movement path of the secondsupport part, and a second raising element is connected to the secondsupport part, the first raising element being situated in the movementpath of the second raising element in such a way that during thetranslational movement of the second support part, the second raisingelement cooperates with the first raising element in order to pivot thesecond support part.
 7. Support device according to claim 1, wherein: a)at least of the first raising element and the second raising elementeffects pivoting of the second support part according to the principleof operation of an inclined plane or a cam mechanism.
 8. Support deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein: a) at least of the first raising elementand the second raising element at its outer periphery is configured as acam body in such a way that the first raising element and the secondraising element cooperate with one another in the manner of a cammechanism.
 9. Support device according to claim 7, wherein: a) crosssections of the first raising element and the second raising elementhave, at least in sections, a complementary or approximatelycomplementary configuration with respect to one another.
 10. Supportdevice according to claim 6, wherein: a) at least of the first raisingelement and the second raising element is configured and located in sucha way that a lever arm which acts to pivot the second support partlengthens from an unadjusted starting position toward an end position ofthe adjustment movement of the second support part.
 11. Support deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: a) the first raising element or a secondraising element are configured and located in such a way that a leverarm which acts to pivot the second support part lengthens from anunadjusted starting position toward an end position of the adjustmentmovement of the second support part.